WHAT IS A BRAIN INJURY CLAIM?
Brain injury claims that look after your recovery — and your future.
A brain injury claim is a personal injury claim for compensation when someone else's negligence has caused damage to your brain. That might follow a road traffic accident, a fall from height at work, a blow to the head from falling objects, a trip on a dangerous pavement or an assault. Brain injury claims range from a concussion that clears up in a few months to a serious brain injury that affects memory, mood, speech, movement and the ability to work or live independently. Whatever the level of injury, if the accident wasn't your fault you may be able to claim.
Traumatic and acquired brain injury claims
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a sudden external force — a blow, a jolt or a penetrating injury to the head. It is the most common basis for a brain injury claim after an accident. An acquired brain injury (ABI) is the wider term for any brain injury that happens after birth, including traumatic injuries and injuries caused by, for example, a lack of oxygen in an accident such as near-drowning or smoke inhalation. We handle acquired brain injury claims and traumatic brain injury claims arising from accidents on the road, at work and in public places.
Head and brain injury — why the difference matters
Not every head injury damages the brain, and not every brain injury shows on a scan. Many people with a mild or "hidden" brain injury look well but struggle with headaches, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability or personality changes. That is why a head and brain injury claim needs the right experts — neurologists, neuropsychologists and rehabilitation specialists — to set out the full effect of the injury. We arrange independent medical evidence so nothing is missed.
How much is a brain injury claim worth?
The brain injury claim amount depends on how severe the injury is, how much recovery is expected, and what it has cost you and will cost you in future. Courts and insurers use the Judicial College Guidelines, which group brain injuries into bands from minor through to very severe. Awards for pain and suffering run from a few thousand pounds for a minor head injury with a good recovery to several hundred thousand pounds for the most serious brain injuries — and lost earnings, care, therapy, adapted housing and equipment are added on top. Every case is valued individually; for a rough idea try our personal injury claim calculator, but only a solicitor's review of your medical evidence gives a reliable figure.
Common causes of brain injury claims
- Road traffic accidents — drivers, passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
- Accidents at work — falls from height, falling objects, machinery and vehicle accidents (an accident at work brain injury claim is made against your employer's liability insurance, not your employer's pocket).
- Slips, trips and falls in shops, public places and on council land.
- Sports and leisure accidents where the organiser failed to keep you safe.
- Assaults — where the route is usually the criminal injury (CICA) scheme.
For the most life-changing cases — where a brain injury sits alongside spinal injuries or multiple injuries — see our catastrophic injury claims page.
What you can claim for
Pain, suffering & loss of amenity
The injury itself and how it has changed your life — memory, mood, personality, independence, relationships and enjoyment of life.
Lost earnings
Wages you have lost already and future loss if the brain injury stops you working, reduces your hours or forces a change of career.
Care & support
Paid carers and the value of care given by family and friends, now and for the future — including case management.
Rehabilitation & therapy
Neuro-rehabilitation, neuropsychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy — private where it helps.
Housing & equipment
Adaptations or a move to suitable accommodation, plus equipment, assistive technology and specialist transport.
Expenses & travel
Travel to appointments, medication, family visiting costs and other out-of-pocket losses caused by the injury.
You may have a claim if…
Your brain or head injury was caused by someone else's negligence — a driver, employer, business, landlord or council.
The accident happened in the last three years. For children the time limit runs from their 18th birthday, and where the injured person lacks mental capacity the time limit may not run at all.
You have, or can get, medical evidence of the injury — hospital records, scans, GP notes or specialist reports.
You are the injured person, or a family member or deputy acting for someone who cannot manage the claim themselves.
How your claim works
01
Free, confidential chat
Call us or request a callback. We listen to what happened, explain your options in plain English and tell you honestly whether you have a claim.
02
Rehab and evidence
We push early for rehabilitation and interim payments, and arrange independent expert reports — neurology, neuropsychology and care — to show the full effect of the injury.
03
We value and negotiate
We value every part of the claim, including future care and earnings, and negotiate firmly with the other side's insurer. Most claims settle without a court hearing.
04
You're compensated
We secure your settlement and, where needed, help protect it for the future — for example through a trust or the Court of Protection.
Brain injury claim FAQs
Can I claim compensation for a brain injury?+
Yes, if your brain injury was caused by an accident that was someone else's fault and you are within the time limit. We can usually tell you in one free conversation whether you have a claim. Call 01422 647175 or request a callback.
Are brain injury claims No Win No Fee?+
Yes. We run brain injury claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement — No Win No Fee — so there is nothing to pay upfront and nothing to pay if the claim does not succeed. If you win, a success fee is deducted from your compensation, capped at 25% of certain damages for personal injury claims. We explain this fully before you sign anything.
How much compensation do you get for a brain injury?+
It depends on the severity of the injury, how well you recover and your financial losses. Awards for the injury itself run from a few thousand pounds for a minor head injury to several hundred thousand pounds for the most serious brain injuries, with care, lost earnings, therapy and housing costs added on top. Any figure is illustrative until a solicitor has reviewed your medical evidence.
Can I claim on behalf of a family member with a brain injury?+
Yes. If your loved one cannot manage the claim because of their injury, a family member can act for them as a "litigation friend". Where a large settlement is involved, we can help with a deputyship application to the Court of Protection so the money is managed safely.
Can I get money before the claim settles?+
Often, yes. Once the other side accepts fault, we can ask for interim payments to fund rehabilitation, care, therapy and living costs while the full claim is worked up. Early rehab can make a real difference to recovery.
How long does a brain injury claim take?+
Simpler claims for a minor head injury may settle within a year or so. Serious brain injury claims take longer because doctors need to see how much recovery is possible before the claim can be valued properly — often two to three years or more. Interim payments help bridge the gap.
What if the accident was partly my fault?+
You may still be able to claim. If you were partly to blame — for example by not wearing a cycle helmet or seatbelt — your compensation may be reduced to reflect that share, but it is not usually lost altogether.
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